Engine



May 21, 1935. H. H, WAN 2,001,895

ENGINE Filed June 4. `1.951 2 Sheets-S'nelsafl'l l ATTORNEY.

mensa May 21, 193s UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,001,895 f i EN GlNE a corporation of Virginia 'Application June 4, 1931, serial No. 542,014

28 Claims.

This invention relates to engines and more particularly to an intake 'manifold structure therefor for distributing and conducting the fuel mixture to the enginecylinders.

. Difliculty has been experienced -in distributing a fuel mixture to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in 'such a way as to insure a uniform supply of fuel mixture tothe cylinders at all engine speeds. With the event of the six and eight cylinder engines it has been necessary to provide a manifold structure with a plurality of branches for distributing the fuel to the cylinders and much difficulty has been experienced in accurately dividing and distributing the fuel to the branches. Some devices have been developed for controlling the fuel flow intermediate the riser and the point Where the fuel is distributed into the manifold branches which distribute the film over the runner Wallin the form of a lm ,of uniform depth but this has not proven entirely `satisfactory since it has not been possible to accurately control this flow of fuel so that the same will flow as desired, since very often the fuel ow becomes stratified to some extent therebution of the fuel into the manifold branches. Where the fuel is induced to lflow in certain stratas difficulty has been experienced in properly confining the stratified fuel flow to a certain path so that the same can be accurately divided and distributed to the respective manifold branches.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a manifold construction in which the fuel mixturer is induced to flow along certain defined paths for proper distribution inthe manifold branches. p

Another object of my present invention is to provide a manifold structure with means for positively stratifying the fuel ow and dividing said stratified fuel flow for conducting predetermined amounts ofV the fuel into said manifold branches for conducting substantially equal amounts of fuel to the engine cylinders connected therewith. Y

For a more detailed understanding of my in vention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one form which my invention may assume, and in which:

Fig. 1- is a fragmentary side elevational View of an internal combustion engine equipped with a fuel mixture forming device and an intake manifold structure constructed in accordance with my invention,

by preventing the accurate division and distri- Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a -modied construction,

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are detail sectional viewstaken 5 on the lines 4 4, 5 5, and 6 6 respectively of Fig. 2,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional View showing a modified groove construction that terminates substantially mid-way between the riser and fuel dividing and'distributing means,

- Figure 7 is an elevational view of a manifold structure illustrating'a modified form of construction, l

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7,

' Figure 9 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8,

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line I0 6Il of Figure 7, and

Figure 1l is a, vertical sectional view taken on thel line I I I I of Figure 8.

The manifold structure A illustrated in Figures l to 6 inclusive is adapted for assembly with an internal combustion engine which includes in general an engine casting Ill having a plurality of intake passages and exhaust passages II and I2 respectively. A fuel mixture forming device I3 is associated with the engine and is provided with a header I4 adapted for connection with the manifold riser I 5, said riser terminating in a fuel mixture distributing chamber.

The manifold structure A consists of manifold branches I6 and a runner Il, said runner being adapted for communication with the riser portion I5 and the branches I6. The fuel mixture is introduced into the riser I5 from the fuel mixture forming device and is adapted 'to be spilled over the edge formed by the intersecting Walls of the riser and runner, the fuel being then conducted through'the runner to a point adjacent the intersection of the manifold branches where the same is divided and accurately distributed into said branches.

I find it advisable in a manifold construction adapted for association with a multi-cylinder engine of the six and eight cylinder type to provide branches which will intersect at a point remote from the riser. In order to properly distribute the fuel mixture to said branches I find it desirable to induce a stratified fuel iiow in the runner which I find maybe'more conveniently divided and distributed into the manifold branches. In order to facilitate the accurate division and dis tribution of the stratified ,fuel flow, I preferably provide fuel conducting-means for yconfining the stratified fuel iiow in a dened' path. This is accomplished by providing a wet fuel conducting groove I8 in the floor of the runner, said groove terminating preferably adjacent the intersection of the manifold branches and as shown in Fig. 2 the stratied fuel ow is directed against the split I9 for dividing the same and causing the desired distribution of the fuel into'the manifold branches It. If desired the manifold may be constructed as shown in Fig. 3 in which al groove it' is forked as at 2d, each branch of the groove beyond the fork being directed part Way into the manifold branches. In order to induce a stratified fuel iiow in the runner I have preferably provided means which induce the major portion of the fuel to spill over the edge formed by the intersecting walls of the runner and riser at a certain definite point along this edge. Preferably the groove in the runner is extended to' the riser and connects with a partial groove in the riser, said riser groove and runner groove being connected by a bend of relatively greater curvature than the remaining edge portion. Figs. l and 5 illustrate this part of my invention and the fuel introduced in the riser is conducted therethrough and causedl to iiow in the communicating runner of the manifold structure. Much of this fuel at low engine speeds is carried along the walls of the riser and will be more readily spilled over a rounded corner if the same is constructed with a large radius than over a corner constructed with a small radius.

Thus the manifold construction as illustrated in these figures induces a stratified fuel flow preferably conducted substantially centrally of the runner.

In the Figures '7 to 11 inclusive I have provided a primary fuel mixture conducting or riser portion 30 communicating with a runner 3 i. In this manifold construction the manifold branches 32 are preferably arranged substantially perpendicularto the runner 3| and the runner is provided with a groove 32 constructed in accordance with the principle illustrated in the Figures 1 to 6 inclusive. In this case, however, the groove 32' is branched as at 33 forming branches 3B which extend part way into the manifold branches and preferably extend substantially perpendicular to the groove 32. In this construction as in the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive thegroove 32 in the runner interconnects with the groove 35 in the riser, said groove being connected with a rounded bend of a greater radius than the bend between the remaining floor portion of the runner and the riser wall. In this modified construction the runner and manifold branches are preferably constructed substantially circular in cross-section and the grooves which are located substantially in the vertical longitudinal planes of said runner and branches respectively are thus constructed to more readily con.- trol the fuel flow and to cause the same to flow in a manner found to be most desirable for proper fuel distribution to the cylinders. This modified construction provides a manifold structure consisting of a runner or header 3i extending generally laterally of the engine and branches 32 extending longitudinally of the engine connecting the extremities of the header with the engine cylinders. Preferably the riser, header, and branches extend substantially at right angles to each other. V

In some manifold constructions the groove in the runner may terminate at a point about midway between the riser and the fuel dividing and distributing means. The groove in the runner may be sloped as shown in Figure er if so desired, said groove extending outwardly and upwardly with respect to the distributing chamber at the junction of the riser and runners.

At relatively low engine speeds there is a relatively greater percentage of wet fuel flowing along the iioorof the runner, and consequently is principally concentrated at the groove. Preferably this groove is provided with substantially vertical side walls, theedge formed by the intersecting side walls of the groove and fioor of the runner being fairly sharp, said edge having a rela*1 tively small radius. As the engine speed is increased. the inertia. forces are increased, and when said inertia forces of the fuel become greater than the capillary forces, the fuel particles are thrown out of the groove in the form of a stratified mist into the central portion of. the runner and directly into the vaporized fuel stream. It may be noted that as the inertia forces increase, due to the increase in engine speed, these forces in particular overcome the capillary attraction at the bend and thus some of the fuel is thrown off instead of adhering to'the floor of the groove. The fuel is thrown off in a plurality of directions substantially in a common plane thereby inducing a stratified mist in the runner. At relatively high engine speeds this stratified fuel mist may sometimes be thrown against the roof of the runner. Preferably the slope of the groove is such as to throw this fan-like stratified mist so as to cause the same to impinge the top wall or roof at or adjacent to the split or fuel mixture flow dividing and distributing means.

Thus, the fuel iiow controlling means as shown in the illustrated embodiment of my invention induces a stratified fuel flow at substantially all engine speeds. Where a groove is employed solely at the bend between two adjacent fuel conducting manifold portions, approximately the sameresult is obtained except that the fuel particles are thrown off at a steeper angle to the oor of the runner.

It may be further noted that the construction shown in the illustrated embodiment of my in. vention provides a positive control for the fuel flow thereby insuring the uniform distribution A of fuel to a plurality of engine cylinders at all engine speeds.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention pertains that various modications and changes may be made therein without departing `from the spirit of my invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An intake manifold structure for an internal combustion engine having a fuel mixture forming device and including a runner communicating with said fuel mixture forming device, and wet fuel conducting means extending substantially the full length of the runner for inducing a stratied fuel iiow in a predetermined defined path longitudinally of the runner for distributing the fuel to the engine.

2. An intake manifold structure for an internal combustion engine having a fuel mixture forming device and including a runner communicating with said fuel mixture forming device, and wet fuel conducting means extending substantially the full length of the runner for inducing a stratified fuel flow centrally and longitudinally of the runner for distributing the fuel to the engine.

3. An intake manifold structure for an internal with said fuel mixture fo combustion engine having a fuel mixture forming device and including a runner device, and wet fuel conducting means extending substantially the full length of the runner for inducing a stratined fuel flow in said runner adjacent the floor of the runnerat relatively low engine speeds for distributing the fuel. to the engine.

4. An intakevmanifold structure for an internal combustion engine having a fuel mixture forming device and including a runner communicating with said fuel mixture forming device, manifold branches communicating with the. runner, wet fuel conducting means inducing a definite stratified fuel flow in said runner, and means dividing said stratified fuel flow and directing same into said manifold branches. f

5. An intake manifold structure for an internal combustionengine having a fuel mixture forming device and including a runnercommunicating with said fuel mixture forming device. manifold branches communicating with the runner, wet fuel conducting means inducing a definite stratined fuel dow in said runner, and means adjacent the intersection .of said manifold branches for dividing said fuel iiow and directing same into said manifold branches. Y

6. An intake manifold structure for an internal combustion engine having'a fuel mixture forming device and including a runner communicating.

with said fuel mixture forming device. said runner provided with a wet fuel conducting groove oi'. relatively sha ow .depth for inducing a stratied Wet fuel new 15g said runner during the operation of the engine f r distributing same.

7. An intakemanifold structure for an internal combustion engine having a fuel mixture formingv device and including a runner communicating with said fuel mixture forming device, said runner provided with a wet fuel conducting groove of relatively shallow depth and extending longitudinally thereof for inducing a stratified .wet fuel flow in said runner during the operation of the' engine for distributing same.

8. An intake manifold structurev for an internal combustion engine having a fuel mixture forming device and including a runner communicating,

with said fuel mixture forming device, manifold branches communicating with the runner, said runner provided with a wet fuel conducting groove of relatively shallow depth and extending longitudinally thereof for inducing a stratified wet fuel flow in said runner, said groove being constructed `adjacent the intersection of said manifold branches to distribute said fuel fiow into saidl `manifold branches.

9.' An intake manifold structure for an internal combustion engine having a fuel mixture forming device andv including a' runner communicating with said fuel mixture forming device, manifold branches communicating with the runner, said runner provided with a groove extending longitudinally thereof for inducing a stratified fuel ow in said runner, said groove being forked adjacent the intersection of said manifold branches tov distribute said fuel flow into said manifold branches. v

l0. '.An intake manifold structure for an internal combustion engine and including fuel mixture conducting portions disposed at an angle to each other substantially the same horizontal engine id connected by a bend, and wet fuel disnreane adjacent the intersection of said n.. Lre conducting inducing a posicommunicating r 3 uve strained we: fueinew ing engine operation. f Y

11. An intake manifold structure 'for an' interf.l

uridine-bending;

nal combustion engine and includingfuel mixture conducting portions disposed at an 'angle toeach f other in substantially the same horizontal engine plane and connectedby a bend, said manifold provided with wet fuel distributing means construoted to induce `a stratied wet fuel flow around the bend during engine operation.

12. An intake manifold structure for an internal combustion engine and including fuel mixture conducting portions disposed at an angle to each other in substantially the same horizontal engine plane and connected by a bend, said manifold provided with a recessed wet fuel distributing groove of relatively shallow depth at the bend for inducing a positive stratified wet fuel flow around the bend during engine operation.

13. An intake manifold structure for an internal combustion engine and including fuel mixture conducting portions disposed at an angle to each other in substantially the same horizontal engine plane and connected by a bend, said portions constructed substantially circular in cross section, and wet fuel distributing means including a shallow groove adjacent the intersection of saidv fuel mixture conducting portions for inducing a stratifled wet fuel riovv centrallyy around said bend during engine operation.-

14. An intake manifold structure for an internal combustion engine having a fuel mixture forming device and including a riser portion communicating with said fuel mixture forming device, and a runner communicating with said riser portion, and means including a relatively shallow recess acting on said fuel mixture as the same flows over a bend connecting the riser portion with the runner to induce a stratified wet` fuel flow centrally and longitudinally of the runner during engineoperation. I

15. An intake manifold structure for an internal combustion engine having a fuel mixture forming device and including a riser portion communicating with said fuel mixture forming device, and a runner communicating with said riser portion and extending substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis of the riser portion, said riser and runner having interconnecting relatively shallow fuel distributing grooves to induce a stratified wet fuel flow in said runner along a defined path during engine operation.

16. An intake manifold structure for an internal combustion engine having a fuel mixture forming device and including a riser portion communicating with said fuel mixture forming device, and a runner communicating with said riser portion and extending substantially in a plane at' 4right angles to the axis of the riser portion, said riser and runner having interconnecting continnous relatively shallow fuel distributing grooves extending substantially in the vertical central longitudinal plane containing the runner and riser axes for inducing a stratified Wet fuel flow in said runner during engine operation.

1'?. .fin intake manifold structure for a multicylinder internal combustion engine having afuel means remote from the riser and adjacent the intersection of said branches for dividing and distributing the fuel mixture in said branches, and

'interconnecting said branches and said riser, l

Vmeans acting on the fuel precipitate to induce a definite stratified wet fuel flow invsaid runner intermediate the riser and said fuel dividing and distributing means during engine operation lfor distributing the fuel to said branches.

` 18. An intake manifold structure for a multicylinder internal combustion engine vhaving a fuel mixture forming device, and including a riser communicating with said fuelmixture forming tributing wet fuel, the floor ofA said runner provided with a longitudinally extending relatively shallow groove for confining said wet fuel to flow in a denite defined path during engine operation at relatively low engine speeds foi` conduction to said fuel dividing and distributing means.

19. An intake manifold structure for a multicylinder internal combustion engine having a fuel mixture forming device, and including a riser communicating with said fuel mixture forming device, a plurality of manifold branches communicating with said engine cylinders, a runner interconnecting said branches and said riser,

means remote from the riser and adjacent the intersection of said branches for `dividing and distributing the wet fuel into said branches, said runner constructed to induce a denite stratified wet fuel fiow therein during engine operation to conduct same to said wet fuel dividing and distributing means.

20. An intake manifold structure for aninternal combustion engine having a fuel mixture forming device and including a runner communicating with said fuel mixture forming device, and means inducing a stratified fuel flow along the oor of the runner at relatively low engine speeds and for inducing a stratified fuel mixture ilow engine speeds. d

21. An intake manifold structure including a distributing chamber, a runner and branches communicating with the cylinders of a multicylinder internal combustion engine, said runner communicating with said distributing chamber and said branches, means for dividing said fuel flow at a point remote from said distributing chamber, and a relatively shallow groove.- intermediate said distributing chamber and said fuel flow dividing means for inducing a definite stratifled fuel flow toward the branches from said distributing chamber, said groove terminating ahead of the said fuel flow dividing means but remote from the junction of said distributing chamber.

22. An intake manifold` structure including a distributing chamber, a runner and branches communicating with the cylinders of .a multicylinder internal combustion engine, said runner communicating with said distributing chamber and said branches, means for dividing said fuel flow at. a point remote from said distributing chamber, and a groove in the floor of said runner intermediate said distributing chamber and said fuel iiow dividing means for inducing a denite stratified fuel flow, said groove terminatingI ahead of the said fuel owdividimg means .23. A manifold structure including aV distributing chamber, a runner having an inlet and outlet, said inlet communicating with said dis-- tributing chamber, saidl runner floor having a wet fuel flowconducting groove of relatively shallow depth and extending outwardly and upwardly with respect to the distributing chamber for inducing wet fuel flow toward the runner outlet. d

24. An intake manifold structure for a multi-,- cylinder internal combustion engine and including a distributing chamber, a runner communieating with said distributing chamber, a plurality of branches communicating with said runner and with a. plurality of engine cylinders, said runner having a relatively shallow wet fuel conducting groove extending outwardly and upwardly with respect to the distributing chamber and terminating ahead of the junction of said branches and said runner for conducting wet fuel toward said branches.

25. An intake manifold structure for a multicylinderA internal combustion engine and including a distributing chamber, a runner communicating with said distributing chamber, a plurality ofl branches communicating with said runner and with a plurality of engine cylinders, means adjacent the junction of said branches and runner for dividing said fuel flow and distributing predetermined quantities to said branches, said runner having a wet fuel conducting groove extending outwardly and upwardly with respect to the distributing chamber and terminating ahead of the junction of said fuel flow dividing means.

26. An intake manifold structure for a multicylinder internal combustion engine and including a distributing chamber, means for applying heat to said distributing chamber, a runner having an inlet and outlet, said inlet communicating with said distributing chamber and extending beyond 'the influence of saidheating means,said runner having a relatively shallow wet fuel conductinggroove extending outwardly from said distributing chamber for conducting wet fuel above the oor ofthe runner at relatively high 'toward-'Said nume? Outlet 2'?. An intake manifold structure for a multicylinder internal combustion engine and' including a distributing chamber, means for applying heat to said distributing chamber, a runner communicating with said distributing chamber and extending substantially beyond the influence of said .heating means, said runner constructed substantially rectangular in cross-section and having a relatively shallow wet fuel conducting groove. in the floor thereof extending longitudinally offsaid yrunner outwardly from said distributing chamber for conducting wet fuel out-v wardly from said distributing chamber toward the engine cylinders, l v

28. An intake manifold structure for a multicylinder internal combustion engine and including a distributing chamber, a heating jacket substantially enclosing said distributing chamber, means for'supplying hot gases to said heating jacket, a runner having an inlet and outlet, said v tributing chamber for conducting wet fuel toward the runner outlet.'

' HAROLD H.y TIMIAN. 

